Versus

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Versus Ekseption PHA Activator

Exfoliator
Night Moisturizer
Hungarian Brand Hungary
Spanish Brand Spain

Updated on October 01, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain PHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down 14 ingredients

Ekseption PHA Activator 25 ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down 14 ingredients

Ekseption PHA Activator 25 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning

Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.

When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.

PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.

Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:

In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.

This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.

Learn more about Gluconolactone
Buffering

Lactobionic Acid is a PHA. PHAs are the gentle cousins to AHAS.

Like AHAs, they exfoliate the top layer of skin. Lactobionic acid also exhibits significant antioxidant activity.

PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. This means they do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.

By removing dead skin cells, PHAs leave the skin brighter and with even-texture.

Learn more about Lactobionic Acid
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

When to use

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down 14 ingredients

Ekseption PHA Activator 25 ingredients

34 Routines
32% use in am
68% use in pm
68% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down 14 ingredients

Calm Down hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Ekseption PHA Activator 25 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Expensive (1) Light Scent (1) Works Well (1)
radvile's avatar

Radvilė Kęstutytė

7 months ago
Review

I have combo dehydrated skin. Main problem I wanted to manage with this product is the dehydration and oilyness on my forehead. Have been using it for a week and every morning it's getting better. Not a magical product, but exfoliates well and does what I want it to do. My skin feels and looks better. Only for stars for now, because I haven't been using it for long and it leaves a bit of clear Show more

#expensive
#light scent
#works well